Getting international experience while doing an internship is a great way to improve your resume. Apart from the benefits of personal growth, travelling will teach you priceless skills like improved communication, language practice, and cultural understanding that an internship in your home country would not be able to impart. Many people are exploring opportunities for international professional growth since, in the current economic situation, having foreign experience can also help you stand out from the competitors when you seek employment in the future. There are challenges when trying to find an internship overseas. Thank goodness, the project administrators have arranged for paid overseas internships to streamline the application process.
The cost of these programmes often includes housing, visa help, local support, cultural events, and an internship in your profession. We’ve put together the following list of options, which includes current possibilities, to assist you fund your internship abroad and minimise the financial strain of these expenditures.
The following advice will help you locate financial aid and internship scholarships for which you are eligible:
Work as an intern for college credit.
If you’re currently enrolled full-time, you ought to be eligible to receive credit for your overseas internship. Universities are happy to see their students gain international experience, and more and more universities are starting to see international internships similarly to study abroad programmes. Better yet, if you intern abroad through a programme provider that has a link with your university, you can utilise your FAFSA scholarships and grants towards a semester of study abroad. Consult your study abroad office, career centre, and academic adviser to determine your credit eligibility.
Inquire about financing based on need.
It’s likely that you will qualify for assistance with your programme cost if you get income-based financial aid from your institution. Need-based scholarships are available from their programme provider to the majority of Pell Grant recipients in the US, Youth Allowance recipients in Australia, Maintenance loan holders in the UK, and Canadian Grant recipients in Canada. This discount is typically good for up to $500. Don’t be scared to inquire with your programme provider regarding need-based scholarships or programme discounts, as well as their eligibility, while applying for overseas internship programmes.
Scholarships tailored to a country or region
If you are certain about the location of your internship, spend some time researching any scholarships your nation or area may provide. Nations such as Germany and Japan work hard to increase internationalism in their workforce and universities, and often provide financial support for students or young workers to come work in their sectors.
Speak to the university’s language departments.
If you are presently enrolled in a language course at your institution, don’t be afraid to ask your department heads and instructors about scholarship opportunities. Immersion in the target language’s environment is one of the best ways to learn it. If you find an immersive internship programme abroad that makes use of your language studies, there’s a chance the department could help you with funding.
Speak with your academic advisor.
Professional possibilities, grants, and scholarships vary per university. The best person to ask questions regarding departmental scholarships at your specific university is your academic adviser.
Your academic adviser might be able to assist you in locating alternative scholarships that meet your eligibility requirements, such as those for first-generation, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ students, in addition to departmental and professional sector scholarships. Arrange a one-on-one consultation with your adviser to find out more about the options available at your university.
